by
Stefan W. Hell(Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry Göttingen)
→
Europe/Berlin
Auditorium (DESY Hamburg)
Auditorium
DESY Hamburg
Description
Throughout the 20th century it has been widely accepted that, at the end of the day, a light microscope relying on conventional lenses (far-field optics) cannot discern details that are finer than about half the wavelength of light (> 200 nm), which is known from the textbooks as “Abbe’s law”.
However, in the 1990s, it was discovered that overcoming the diffraction barrier is realistic and that fluorescent samples can be resolved virtually down to molecular dimensions. In my talk, I will explain the simple yet powerful principles behind this discovery, and show how the resolution-limiting role of far-field optical diffraction can be neutralized.
In a nutshell, features residing closer than the diffraction barrier are prepared in different molecular (quantum) states so that they are distinguishable for a brief detection period. As a result, the resolution-limiting role of diffraction is overcome, and the interior of transparent samples, such as living cells and tissues can now be imaged non-invasively at the nanoscale using focused light in 3D. Therefore, Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy and the emerging field of ‘far field optical nanoscopy’ open up new avenues for exciting and unprecedented insights in medical research, and the life and material sciences. At 16:30 h, prior to the Jentschke Lecture, the Association of the Friends and Sponsors of DESY (VFFD) will award outstanding PhDs who have recently completed their thesis. Further Info
